Los Angeles Times The Taste 2017 is almost here! The annual festival, which celebrates the flavors and cuisines created in L.A.’s best kitchens, is taking place this Labor Day weekend, on September 1-3, at Paramount Pictures Studios. The studio will be transformed into a mecca for foodies — complete with a block party vibe, tastings from the city’s most notable restaurants, and an impressive offering of wine, beer, and cocktails. Hosted by The Times’ Food staff and notable L.A. chefs and mixologists, The Taste will consist for five events. Admission to each event includes unlimited tastings from some of the best kitchens in the city as well as no shortage of refreshments. The lineup for this festival is epic. Some superstars set to serve at The Taste include McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, The Butcher’s Daughter, and Beauty & Essex.

On Friday night, expect an intimate setting at The Taste. The opening night event will feature a curated collection of tastings and elevated cocktail and wine options. You may even bump elbows with The Times’ hosts and the festival’s participating chefs and bartenders. Friday’s restaurant and bar lineup include Baran’s 2239, Friends & Family, Georgie, Lao Tao, Little Fatty, Mainland Poke, Scratch Bar & Kitchen, Side Chick, and Tar & Roses, to name a few. This opening night event will take place at 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM.

Saturday at The Taste is all about Southern California’s agricultural roots and DIY attitude. With this ‘field to fork’ attitude in mind, several figures in the movement, including Wes Whitsell of Manuela and Romeo Coleman of Coleman Family Farms, will discuss the importance of farm and eating local. The event will be hosted by Times Food Editor Amy Scattergood and Chef/Owner of Father’s Office and Lukshon, Sang Yoon. Taking place from 12 PM - 3 PM, Saturday’s participating restaurants include Aqui es Texcoco, Banh Oui, Cento Pasta Bar, Cruciferous, M Café, Maury’s Bagels, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, and a few more killer spots.

Later in the day from 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM, enjoy ‘Dinner with a Twist’ at the festival. Hosted by Times Restaurant Critic Jonathan Gold, Times Deputy Food Editor Jenn Harris, Chef/Owner of Scopa Italian Roots and Black Market Liquor Bar Antonia Lofaso, and Mixologist at Scopa Italian Root Marco A. Ramos. For all the aspiring bartenders and at-home mixologists, there will be a chef-bartender demo by Lofaso and Ramos, and by Allan Katz and Jonathan Whitener of Here’s Looking At You. The night continues with a showcase of signature cocktails and a group demo, all in the company of chefs and bartenders at top L.A. spots, including Sotto and Accomplice Bar. Some restaurants in the lineup for saturday night include Scopa Italian Roots and Beauty & Essex.

At the final day of The Taste, expect the ultimate Sunday Block Party. Hosted by Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter and Chef/Owner of Tuck Room Tavern Sherry Yard. From 12 PM - 3 PM, enjoy great food and good times on the backlot of Paramount Pictures Studio. Yard and David LeFevre of Manhattan Beach post will be revealing the secrets of pastry-baking for home cooks and how to make biscuits that’ll bring all the foodies to the yard. What’s more, Chris Phelps of Salt’s Cure will talk about what it means to brunch at some of the most innovative spots around town, because… L.A. Restaurants on this closing afternoon include The Butcher’s Daughter, Tuck Room Tavern, Otium, and a few more local spots

Sunday night at The Taste concludes with a showcase of Flavors of L.A. Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Gilberto Cetina Jr., Chef/Owner of Chichen Itza and Holbox from 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM, embrace the diversity of flavors that make Los Angeles a dining destination. There will be demos by Wes Avila of Guerilla Tacos, Cetina, and the team behind Badmaash. Host Jonathan Gold will explore Korean BBQ with Jenee Kim of Park’s Barbeque and Chris Oh of Seoul Sausage Co. Get ready to get hands on and learn a few more skills to use in the kitchen this Labor Day weekend!

Los Angeles Times The Taste’s charity beneficiaries are The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Midnight Mission, and L.A. Regional Food Bank. Opening Night tickets are $150. Saturday and Sunday event tickets range from $95 to $130; a $25 discount is available exclusively to Times subscribers. Details and tickets: latimes.com/TheTaste. Connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheTasteLA (#TasteLA).